2018 Toyota Prius: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Prius at 52–56 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 38 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
52–56
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as PRIUS V.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2018 Toyota Prius recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Toyota Prius, newest first.
Electrical system: Wiring
NHTSA 18V579000Reported Sep 5, 2018
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. J0T)
Units affected
192,347 (estimate)
Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2018 Toyota Prius fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2018 Toyota Prius crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2018 Toyota Prius NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2018 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
10.7%
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2018 Toyota Prius owner complaints
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Prius, most recently on Oct 2, 2026. 5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2018 Toyota Prius complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Unknown or other
6
Exterior lighting
5
Visibility/wiper
5
Structure: Body
4
Vehicle speed control
4
Air bags
3
Electrical system
3
Engine
3
Service brakes
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
